15/10/2010

Reform Of Health Public Bodies More 'Cost Effective'

A Department of Health review of Advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies (ANDPBs) has set out the future of forty health-related public bodies, as part of a cross-Government review led by the Cabinet Office.

The review is part of the Government’s drive to increase the transparency and accountability of public services and reduce their number and cost. It examined the committees, groups and panels which provide expert advice to Government.

Forty Department of Health bodies were included and the future of nine of these has already been announced as part of the Department of Health’s Arm’s Length Body Review in July.

The changes to the Department’s ANDPBs will be in place from 2012.

Changes to previously announced Arm’s Length Bodies may take longer, but all are expected to be in place by 2013/14.

A number of the ANDPBs will have their status changed to that of a committee of experts. This preserves the independent expert advice given to the Department and also reduces the level of administration associated with the body, for example on reporting and making public appointments.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “The changes continue our work to increase the accountability and transparency of public services, as well as ensuring that the advisory mechanisms we have are fit for purpose. The bodies who provide essential independent advice to the department will continue to do so, but they will be streamlined and made more accountable so that they operate in the most cost effective way.

“We will continue to support the organisations involved through this period of transition, ensuring we continue to get the highest quality independent advice from experts to inform policy decisions.”

(BMcN/KMcA)

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